Matthew Rees insists captaining the Blues does not guarantee him a starting spot

5 Sep 2013, 01:37 pm

By Alex Bywater

Rees ready to prove point

Matthew Rees insists his place in the Cardiff Blues side is far from secure despite being named club captain for this season.

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The Wales hooker, who has won 58 caps and toured South Africa with the British & Irish Lions in 2009, leads the Blues against Glasgow on Friday night as the RaboDirect PRO12 swings into action.

The trip to the Scotstoun Stadium is a tough first game for the Blues but with Rees joined in the pack by fellow internationals Bradley Davies, Scott Andrews and Josh Navidi, Phil Davies' side should have the necessary bulk to match the Warriors up front.

However, looking ahead to the rest of the season, Rees says he is far from guaranteed a regular spot with Marc Breeze and Kristian Dacey providing competition at hooker.

"It's still a challenge for me. I've obviously been named as captain but that's not a given you're going to start week in week out," he said.

"If I don't perform there will be boys who will be chomping at the bit to get in. The biggest thing for me is consistency and that's the challenge I've got."

For Rees and the rest of the Blues squad, the immediate task is a trip to Scotland. The summer recruit from the Scarlets is named in the front row alongside Taufa'ao Filise and Andrews with Davies and Filo Paulo behind them.

The Warriors finished off their last campaign with a run of seven straight home victories and Rees knows just how tough a test they will provide.

"If you look at Glasgow over the last couple of years, they've been outstanding in the way they want to play the game," he added.

"They play an expansive, open style of rugby and reached the semi-finals last year.

"But we feel we're in a good place and we'll see where we are when we get up to Glasgow. From our point of view, we've had two good wins and we've got some confidence in the group.

"We know it's a tough challenge going up there but it's a test to see where we are as a team and individuals."

In the backs, Davies has named Rhys Patchell and Lloyd Williams at half back while Harry Robinson and Chris Czekaj offer the firepower out wide. Gavin Evans and Owen Williams combine in midfield with Tom Williams at full back.

Davies said: "It's important we have a positive start, we want to build momentum in all the competitions.

"We have to develop consistency so that every time you have a change in your playing squad, you don't have a dip in performance."

He added: "Experience tells me the first games of the season are unpredictable. You can train brilliantly and then not perform that well, or you can train average and play exceptional.

"It's about getting the physical and mental approach right to enable us to perform. We need a competitive game to see where we are and we are looking forward to it."